Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin (image-X/mkstalin)

Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Calling the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) Regulations 2025 an “assault on the idea of federalism,” Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has moved a resolution in the State Assembly against the new draft for the appointment of vice-chancellors.

“This Assembly considers that the recent UGC draft rules should be taken back. They are an assault on the idea of federalism and they affect Tamil Nadu’s higher education system,” said the Chief Minister.

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He criticised the centre for granting governors broader control over the V-C’s appointment and allowing non-academicians to hold VC posts.

Apart from Tamil Nadu, Kerala also opposed the recent draft guideline on faculty recruitment and promotions in higher education released by the UGC on Monday. The Polit Bureau of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) called the draft rules a “direct assault on the rights of states.”

According to the draft regulations, the chancellor shall constitute a search-cum-selection committee comprising a governor’s nominee who shall be the chairperson of the committee, a nominee of the UGC chairman, and a nominee of the apex body of the university, such as the executive council, board of management, and more.

The new draft rules restrict the panel to three members: a nominee of the visitor or chancellor as chairperson of the panel, a UGC chairperson nominee, and a nominee from the university’s apex body.

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Previously, there have been conflicts between governors and state governments over VC appointments in state universities, primarily in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.

UGC will accept comments and feedback from stakeholders on the draft before February 5.